Liverpool advanced to the semifinals of the Carabao Cup with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Southampton on December 18, 2024, at St. Mary's Stadium. This match marked another step forward for the Reds as they continue their pursuit of silverware this season.
Under the guidance of interim manager Simon Lusk, Southampton came onto the field with renewed vigor after the dismissal of their previous coach. They were hoping to capitalize on home advantage against the side currently leading the Premier League. Unfortunately for them, it was Liverpool who struck first.
Darwin Núñez opened the scoring for Liverpool just 25 minutes in. His impressive goal came from a beautifully created chance initiated by Trent Alexander-Arnold, who evaded two Southampton defenders and placed the ball perfectly for the Uruguayan. Núñez did not disappoint, slotting the ball past Southampton's goalkeeper Alex McCarthy after the keeper failed to gather the shot. This goal significantly boosted Liverpool's confidence.
With the wind at their backs, Liverpool doubled their lead just eight minutes later. Harvey Elliott, making his first start of the season, received a pass from Cody Gakpo. Elliott's effort, which was initially deflected, found its way to the back of the net, leaving Southampton fans disheartened.
Despite trailing 2-0 at halftime, Southampton came back onto the pitch determined to make their mark. They found some reprieve when Cameron Archer scored for them early in the second half. The 59th-minute goal came from Archer's solo run, showcasing his skill and composure as he slotted the ball beautifully beyond Liverpool’s stand-in goalkeeper, Caoimhín Kelleher.
Archer's goal rejuvenated Southampton, who began to push harder for the equalizer. With their supporters behind them, they became more aggressive, creating various goal-scoring opportunities. Especially notable were the efforts of substitute Yusei Sugawara, who animated the wing play, contributing to renewed optimism among the fans. His early crosses posed serious threats, but the solid Liverpool defense, marshaled by Endō Wataru, stood firm.
Endō not only played his part well defensively but also took over the captaincy after Alexander-Arnold was substituted off. His leadership on the pitch was significant as Liverpool sought to stabilize the game following the nerves created by Archer's goal.
Moment after moment of Southampton pressure followed, with several dangerous attempts thwarted by Liverpool's backline, and Kelleher’s alertness. At one point, Taylor Harwood-Bellis made a decisive clearance to prevent Federico Chiesa from providing what could have been a match-winning goal.
With time winding down, Southampton looked for any advantage they could garner, leading to appeals for penalties after Mateusz Fernandez was brought down. Referee Simon Hooper, though, waved off their claims, recognizing Jarrell Quansah's challenge as clean.
The closing minutes saw frantic play, with Southampton resisting. Their efforts were commendable, yet Liverpool showcased their resilience, seen clearly as they defended their slim lead until the final whistle blew.
Finishing with three points from this knockout round delivers Liverpool safely to the semifinals once again as they stand alongside key contenders like Arsenal and Newcastle. The final semifinal spot will be determined by the upcoming match between Tottenham and Manchester United.
This performance not only advances Liverpool’s hopes of retaining the Carabao Cup but also strengthens their momentum as they move toward the Christmas fixtures. Meanwhile, Southampton must regroup and reassess under the new management as they continue to struggle this season.
